Cleveland Cavaliers: Spencer Hawes tries to get acclimated to offense

He went from one of the worst teams in the NBA to one that’s competing for a playoff spot.
Life is good for center Spencer Hawes, acquired by the Cavaliers in a trade from the hapless Philadelphia 76ers on Feb. 20.
“Now I feel like it’s a chance to hit ‘reset’ and get acclimated for this stretch run,” he said after practice on Feb. 22 at Cleveland Clinic Courts.
The Cavs (22-34) didn’t have to give up much to acquire Hawes’ services. They shipped two end-of-the-roster players in Earl Clark and Henry Sims, along with two second-round picks in 2014, for the 7-foot, 245-pounder.
Hawes played 26 minutes in the 98-91 loss to Toronto on Feb. 21 and had seven points, 10 rebounds and three blocks.
“Last night was a little bit weird,” he said. “I was thrown into the fire, trying to figure out my place. More so, offensively, I was confused. It was good to get in today to break down some things and try to get comfortable with the players and their tendencies.”
The Cavs were intrigued by how Hawes spaces the floor. He should complement players like forward Luol Deng and guards Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters.
“That’s what they brought me in for, to bring that component,” Hawes said. “All these guys do such a good job getting to the rim. That will make their life easier.”
Like the injured Anderson Varejao, Hawes loves to pass the ball. He grew up playing point guard until he outgrew the position.
“I get just as excited making a good pass as I do knocking down a shot,” he said. “With the makeup of this team, it should mesh well.”
The 7-foot Tyler Zeller will remain in the starting lineup for the time being. The Cavs have won six of their last seven games heading into the Washington contest on Feb. 23.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead for us,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “Right now, I’m trying to get (Hawes) caught up to speed.”
Hawes said no one has mentioned anything about moving into the starting lineup. He’s just trying to find his niche.
“This team has been playing very well lately,” Hawes said. “I want to fit in as well as I can with the chemistry and the organization. I’m trying to keep my head above water and fit in somewhere.”
The Sixers didn’t try to hide that they were trying to move all three of their top players. Guard Evan Turner was traded to Indiana. They couldn’t find a taker for forward Thaddeus Young and his bloated contract.
Hawes said he heard no rumors about him coming to Cleveland.
“I had a pretty good idea I wasn’t going to be around,” Hawes said. “I had no idea it was going to be here.”
His numbers plummeted in the weeks leading up to the deadline. He said it wasn’t due to the trade rumors.
“I don’t want to say that,” he said. “It was a weird few weeks leading into it.”
Brown said it appears as if Hawes is a quick learner.
“He does have a nice feel for the game,” he said. “He’s vocal out there. He can shoot the ball. He can pass the ball. It seems like he has some toughness to him, too. As every day goes on, he’s going to help us more and more. We’ll get a feel for his game and we’ll get a feel for what he’s trying to do.”
Quick shots
n Center Anderson Varejao (sore back), shooting guard Dion Waiters (hyperextended left knee) and swingman C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle) will all miss the Feb. 23 game against Washington. Varejao, wearing an elastic wrap on his left knee, came out for some shooting after practice. Brown said that didn’t mean he was closer to a return than the other two players.
n The Cavs signed forward/center Arinze Onuaku from the Canton Charge to a 10-day contract on Feb. 22 and assigned him back to the Charge. The D-League All-Star averaged 14.4 points and 9.7 rebounds in 26 games for the Charge. The 6-9, 275-pounder appeared in three games for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. “He’s a tough guy,” Brown said. “He’s a big body. He’s a worker. He’s a good addition to the team.”

About the Author

Bob has covered the Cavs for The News-Herald and Morning Journal since 1995. He's a graduate of Kent State University and New Philadelphia High School. Reach the author at rfinnan@news-herald.com
or follow Bob on Twitter: @BobCavsinsider.